Mathew Sanders

Mathew Sanders leads state-level efforts to plan for and build resilience to current and future climate-related disaster impacts for Pew’s U.S. conservation project. In this role, he works directly with state governments and community leaders to advocate for, develop, and implement comprehensive policies and plans for various risks, including floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and droughts.

Before joining Pew, Sanders worked in Louisiana state government, with a specific focus on post-disaster recovery and long-term disaster resilience planning. He was the principal planner in development of Louisiana’s Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments project and the relocation of Isle de Jean Charles in remote coastal Louisiana. Prior to working in Louisiana, Sanders did land use planning for the New York City government and was a journalist in Jackson, Mississippi. Sanders holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s in urban planning from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He is also accredited by the American Planning Association’s American Institute of Certified Planners.